How a nation hindered the ‘unique abilities’ of Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes will be in Florida coaching a lucky group of 8 to 18 year olds in June. Despite the invitation of Fabio Capello to rejoin the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa, the shy veteran instead stood by his 2004 decision of retiring. The loss for the national team isn’t centred on the intangibles that we, as a supporting public, are not privy to (experience behind the scenes, a winning mentality, a calm presence and what not). No, the loss has been purely a footballing one: no English player can do what Paul Scholes can.
This isn’t to say he does not possess the intangibles mentioned above – nine Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and two Champions League victories means the abundance of football brilliance stationed between the ears and in both feet has very much materialised into silverware. There’s been a continental quality, bordering on anomalous, in Scholes’ style of play (always receiving the ball on the turn, possession being his overriding prerogative, a breadth of passing skills and a pedigree of accuracy which, on occasion, bamboozles) that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard – well, any of the other English midfielders – do not possess. More than just technique (Gerrard and Lampard are tough to better in that respect) it is his reading of the game that sets him miles apart from other home grown talents. When to pounce, where to move, the timing of runs…there is a natural, metronomic aesthetic to his possession play as several quick short interchanges can be contrasted, at any moment, with a stupidly accurate 50yard cross field pass. And then he does it all again.
It’s no surprise that David Beckham’s move to Real Madrid revealed a changing room of the world’s best – Zidane, Figo, Carlos – all most curious about the small ginger haired magician. His 66 caps remain painfully short of what could have been. I feel it is only in England that a player of his unique ability would be shifted wide in a diamond at, what should be his peak, the age of 29. His decision for retirement came purely down to not enjoying the game playing out of position; he offered little coming from wide and felt ineffective. It is always a footballing decision where Scholes is concerned, there are no ulterior motives. His family benefited. Manchester United certainly benefited. But England definitely lost an option at the very least; a dimension of player that rarely – if ever – is nurtured through the English game.
There are those who argue that his decision to retire was selfish and showed a lack of duty. After all, a player of his quality should accommodate themselves to the needs of the national team. I completely disagree. His refusal to rejoin the England team this summer elucidates the same facets of his character as it did in 2004; there is no thought of a final dance on the global stage and no want of simply being a part of it for the grandeur. His primary love, I’d argue his only love, when it comes to the bizarre pantomime marriage of media and sport, is playing – and enjoying – the game itself. It would be too easy to finish an article about Scholes with a quote from Ferguson, Zidane, or Fabregas so instead I’ll end it with a few words from the man himself:
“I can’t say that I can’t wait to finish, but I am looking forward to finishing with everything that goes with it. I suppose people are just very invasive and always want to know what you’re going to do. The only thing I will definitely miss is the football, not the general life of a footballer.”
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Excellent analysis again Sam, and I can only occur. Scholes is the sort of player whose talent and influence doesn’t diminish over time and I feel he could’ve been a valuable player for England this summer. It beggars belief that he was pushed out wide to perform the “graveyard shift”, it seems that this is problem is currently plaguing Steven Gerrard too.
Whilst is a Manc, I have the utmost admiration and respect for Scholes, and it is so refreshing to see a player who eschews the media completely. He is a sublime player and I applaud his decision to stick to his guns.
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*and I can only concur
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God this is typo-laden.
*it seems that this problem is plaguing Steven Gerrard too.
*Whilst he is a Manc
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“I feel it is only in England that a player of his unique ability would be shifted wide” – this is too true. Would you see Xavi or Pirlo being played wide left for Spain or Italy?
English players that can control the tempo of a game come along once a generation. British football, as the Premiership highlights, is played at 100miles an hour and is about aggression and power, rather then technique and skill, hence these players often remain unappreciated (Glenn Hoddle). Let’s hope it doesn’t happen to the next once in a generation English midfielder – Jack Wilshere
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i always say that Paul scholes is the best non-Spanish passer of the ball…….
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he would have fit in with xavi, iniesta, fabregas and co no problems. the most naturally gifted player we’ve had in a generation.
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i dnt care wat anyone says this guy is better than gerrard an lampard
LEGEND!!
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He’s england’s most naturally gifted passer of a ball since Glenn Hoddle, but he’s never been as good as the barca duo or pirlo imho. I agree with ras though
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At his peak Scholes was awesome in 2003 he and Van Nistelrooy single handedly won us the title.
Gerrard and Lampard are jacks of all trades yet masters of none. Scholes was the goal scoring midfielder back when those two were still in the reserves and academies and that isn’t even his strongest trait. His ability to spot and play a pass is second to none.
Xavi reads a game very well and thus is able to spot when and where to play a ball as well as when to retain the ball but Scholes is just as good.
It seems people are comparing today’s Scholes, a past his peak Scholes, with Xavi but look back when Scholes was at his peak and all people cared about was flair to see how good he was because back in those times people just raved about his spectacular goals and long range passing, they didn’t care about the smaller things.
Sorry about the essay but Scholes is a true legend of the game and the fact he lacks an ego or a foreign sounding name means he will never get the praise he deserves!
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Scholes will always be ranked highly, he’s one of those players people say is underrated but the fact that people harp on about it, it distorts how good he was. The fact of the matter is that whilst he was always one of europe’s best, he was never THE best like say Xavi is now. He was world class in his prime and could have walked into most sides in the world, but at his peak he was probably still a tier below the best. It’s not an insult i’m trying to convey, he’s my favourite Utd player ever but a little perspective is required the same as it is with Giggs who because they look like ending their careers soonish we’re supposed to pretend they’ve been brilliant every season of their careers
I realise not many people will agree with this but I’m used to that by now.
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